To conform or not to conform Submit HW

To conform, or not to conform? • Submit HW • Little Boxes by Malvina Reynolds (sung by Pete Seeger) • Objective Question: How did people (specifically teens) chose to conform to, or rebel against, 1950 s standards? • Social Conformity: As things become more standardized, some felt they lost their individuality. Businesses (generally) didn’t want creative thinkers, rebels, or anyone else who would rock the corporate boat.

New Teen Culture • Value of youth increasing • Businesses saw the need to identify a separate youth market – Teens bought products for a “sense of identity” – Businesses made money off them. WIN-WIN! – What products today are specifically for teens? Talk with 2 people around you o Starting in the 50 s, teens became economic commodities, consumers who today drive one of the most profitable markets in U. S. and world!

50 s TV • Media shaped family values of the time. • The “norm” can be viewed by the show Leave it to Beaver. • Show also reflects themes from 50 s – Growing middle class – Economic prosperity – Consumerism – Materialism – Suburbia – Car culture and fashion – Are these still themes today?

TV Stereotypes • Males outnumbered females 3 to 1 • Rare to see Latinos and African Americans on shows • Violence?

Juvenile Delinquency • Your definition? • “A minor who cannot be controlled by parental authority and commits antisocial or criminal acts, as vandalism or violence. ” • Middle class America failed to recognize the deprived privileges of other social classes • Poverty, broken families, sense of not “fitting in” gave rise to this phenomena • Delinquents were shunned and misunderstood • Rebel Without a Cause movie

It’s Elvis’ Fault! • Rock n’ Roll allowed teens to openly rebel against parents (not to mention his provocative dance moves… the scandal!)

Music meets Movies • Blackboard Jungle (1955) is about an English teacher at an inner-city school who has difficulty doing his job based on resistance from students and faculty. • Bill Haley and the Comets “Rock Around the Clock” first time Rock n’ Roll is featured in a movie

• Is this the culture (conform or rebel) at Creek? Why?